POSCA British Nationals

A Record Breaking number of entries to the 2012 POSCA British National Surf Championships saw over 120 heats surfed during two days of intense competition at the weekend. Organisers Surfing GB were delighted with the outcome. Alex Williams, media director for SGB commented. “Ten years ago the scale and standard of surfing at the Nationals was nothing like what we have seen this weekend. The surfing was incredible, from the youngest juniors coming through, right up through the open divisions to the seniors. This really shows the depth and quality of talent in British Surfing, and what a bright future British Surfing has! It’s just been great to see so many people participating in the Nationals“.

Competitors flocked to Fistral beach in Newquay, with entrants flying in from Portugal, Ireland and the Canary Islands to challenge the surfers that had travelled from all over the uk. Working in partnership with the UK Pro Surf Association added to the buzz surrounding the event. The 2012 National titles were up for grabs, but so too were the division awards for the UK pro tour. From aspiring young grommets to Veteran surfers the stakes were high.

Keisha Ayre British Womens & U16 champ

Two days of excellent surf, culminating in epic conditions on Sunday finals afternoon, set the scene for the competitors to show the best of what they could do. Marching through the heats in style Jayce Robinson set the early pace in the Open, with Sam Lamiroy, Title Holder Stu Campbell and local boy Alan Stokes all pushing hard. In the Women’s division Evie Johnston was making a charge, alongside Welsh Challengers Beth Mason and Gwen Spurlock, with Tassy Swallow beating the English Drum. Junior divisions were equally hotly contested with 2012 standout Jobe Harriss pitched into Battle once again with close friend & rival Luke Dillon. Across the younger age groups, high octane performances, fuelled by soaring levels of stoke, saw aerials, new school turns and old school carves keeping the judges on their toes in the frenetic, action packed heats. North Devon’s Will Bailey capped an impressive year taking the u14’s. Irish dark-horse Geroid McDaid blitzed through the u-16s and u-18s, making both finals and taking the u16s, whilst Keisha Ayre showed what adding some international experience can do for your surfing, taking the wins in both 16s girls and womens’s divisions.

Stokesy ended up taking out the Open. “I am so happy to be winning a British Title in my home town, and with my Nan here today it makes it an extra special win today!”

Nick Rees, Projects manager for Surfing GB said. “We wanted this year’s Nationals to raise the bar a bit- both in increasing the size of the event and in ensuring that the best surfers were given the best contest infrastructure. Working with the UKPro Surf Tour has enabled us to do just that, so massive thanks to Dave Reed, and we are so grateful to our Sponsors POSCA, Calypso Soft Drinks and Skinners Brewery for making this event such a belter! Without their support this wouldn’t have been possible and they really did the surfers proud!”

Tassy Swallow

Judging by recent events and the performances of our top surfers throughout the British, next year’s international campaigns and events are lining up to be some of our most hotly anticipated for years. Lloyd Cole, Surfing GB’s head coach said “Next year we are going to be taking our top surfers to compete on the global stage and they are looking 100% committed. From what I have seen this weekend the levels of performance have gone up yet another notch. I am so excited for the coming year.”